Soda straw dispenser



May 9, 1933. J. P. WALSH SODA STRAW DISPENSER Filed March 28, 1952 Patented May 9, l33

FFIC I JAIIIES P. WALSH, F DENVER, COLORADO sona STRAW DISPENSER Application filed March 28, 1932.

This invention relates to a soda straw dispenser, and has for its principal object the provision of a neat, compact, attractive, and sanitary device which will completely enclose and protect the straws, and which will expel them one a time as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a straw dispenser which will expel the straws from either or both ends so that it 0 can be used conveniently in the center of a table.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which 'forms a part hereof. 2 Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a formot the improved soda straw dispenser.

Fig. is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2 2. Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a similar cross section taken on the line 33. Fig. 4. 30 Fig. 4- is a horizontal section taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 3.

The invention comprises a housing which may be any desired shape but is pref-- erahlv cylindrical illustrated. The housing 10 provided with a lid 11 hinged theretoias shown at 12, provided with a suitable catch 13. The housing 10 is designed to Serial N o 601,576.

tuated by a lever 19 which is pivotally mounted on-each of the partition plates 16 as shown at 20. The other extremity of each lever 19 is hinged, as shown at 21, to a push rod 22. The push rods 22 terminate in operating buttons 23 at the opposite ends of the housing 10. A coiled compression spring 25 surrounds each plunger under its lever 19 to return it to its normal position after each operation. A discharge spout 24 projects fromeach end of the housing 11, the spout 24 at one end communicating wi h one extremity of one of the grooves 17 and the spout at the other end communicating with the other extremity of the other groove.

This arrangement provides two similar constructions, one for expelling straws from one of the grooves 17 at one extremity of the housing 10, the other for expelling straws from the other end of the other groove 17 at the other end of the housing 10. It is of course conceivable that if desired, only one of these constructions could be employed with a single groove in the bottom of the 5 container, should it be desired to manufacture a lower priced device. Such "a device,

19 so as to force the plunger 18 into the extremity of its groove 17 As the plunger enters the groove it pushes the lowermost straw out of the other extremity. of the groove and through the spout 24 within reach of the customer.

The weight of the straws above the one 7 being expelled will prevent the latter from returning as the plunger is released. As soon as the straw is withdrawn by the customer, another one will fall into its place ready for the next operation. A longitudinal ridge 28 divides the pile of straws in the container so that they will naturally gravitate to the two grooves 17.

It will be noted that the ends of the housing 10 are indented as illustrated at 27 so as to allow the extremity of the expelled straw to be easily reached. The operating mechanism is concealed by a pair of end caps 26 which may be readily removed for inspection or repairs when desired.

Vhile a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is 1. A soda straw dispenser comprising; a housing; partition plates spaced inwardly from each extremity of saidhousing; a container extending between said partition plates; a pair of parallel longitudinal grooves formed in the bottom of said container, said grooves opening through said partition plates; a plunger slidably mounted in each partition plate, one of said plungers projecting into the one of said grooves, the other plunger projecting into the other of the grooves; a push rod projecting from each extremity of said housing, said push rods extending between said container and said housing at each side thereof; and a pivotally mounted lever on each of said partition plates, each of said levers communicating between one of said push rods and one of said plungers so that inward movement of either push rod will project a straw from the same extremity of the housing from which the latter push rod projects.

2. A soda straw dispenser comprising: a housing; partition plates spaced inwardly from each extremity of said housing; a contaiiner extending between said partition plates; a pair of parallel longitudinalgrooves formed in the bottom of said container, said grooves opening through said partition plates; a plunger slidably mounted in each partition plate, one of said plungers projecting into the one or said grooves, the other plunger projecting into the other of the grooves; a push rod projecting from each extremity of said housing, said push reds extending between said container and said housing at each side thereof; and a pivotally mounted lever on each 'of said partition plates, each'of said levers communicating between one of said push rods and one of said iplungiers so that. inward movement of either push trod will project a straw from the same extremity of the housing from which the latter push rod projects; and a discharge spout at each extremity of said housthrough which the discharged straw will project, the discharge spouts at the opposite extremities communicating with opposite grooves.

Asoda straw dispenser comprising: a housing; partition plates spaced inwardly from each extremity of said housing; a con tainer extending between said partition plates; a pair of parallel longitudinal grooves formed in the bottom of said container,'said grooves opening through said partition plates; a plunger slidably mounted in each partition plate, one of said plungers projecting into the one of said grooves, the other plunger projecting into the other of the grooves; a push rod projecting from each extremity of said housing, said push rods ex tending between said container and said housing at each side thereof; and a pivotally mounted lever on each of said partition plates, each of said levers communicating between-one of said push rods and one of said plungers so that inward movement of either push rod will project a straw from the same extremity of the housing from which the latter push rod. projects; and a discharge spout at each extremity of said housing through which the discharged straw will project, the discharge spouts at the opposite extremities communicating with opposite grooves, said housing being inset adjacent said discharge spouts: so as to reduce the amount of projection necessary :to project a straw beyond said housing.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

JAMES P. WALSH. 

